Strip take-up threading device

ABSTRACT

A take-up device, adapted to receive a hub on a rotatable support member of such device and to wind strip material onto a hub so received, is provided with a plurality of guide members which are movable to respective threading positions surrounding a received hub for directing strip material against the received hub. One of the guide members is movable to several sensing positions (1) for detecting the presence at the support member of a hub without strip material wound thereon, (2) for detecting the absence of a hub at the support member and (3) for detecting the presence at the support member of a hub with a predetermined length of strip material wound thereon. A control is operatively associated with the sensing guide member and a strip feeding mechanism for preventing strip threading either in the absence of a hub at the support member or should a hub with a predetermined length of strip material wound thereon be received on the support member. Upon threading of strip material onto a received hub, a trailing portion of such material is tensioned; whereupon, a tension sensing mechanism actuates retraction of the guide members other than the sensing guide member from the outermost convolution of strip material wound onto the received hub.

United States Patent [1 1 Wroblewski 1 June 19, 1973 1 STRIP TAKE-UPTHREADING DEVICE [75] Inventor: Richard J. Wroblewski, Rochester,

[73] Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company,

Rochester, N.Y.

[22] Filed: May 3, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 139,494

[52] US. Cl. 242/210, 242/74, 242/187,

242/195 [51] Int. Cl. B65h 75/28, B65h 25/04 [58] Field of Search242/195, 192, 187,

Primary Examiner-George F. Mautz Att0meyW. H. J. Kline and Roger A.Fields [57] ABSTRACT A take-up device, adapted to receive a hub on arotatable support member of such device and to wind strip material ontoa hub so received, is provided with a plurality of guide members whichare movable to respective threading positions surrounding a received hubfor directing strip material against the received hub. One of the guidemembers is movable to several sensing positions (1) for detecting thepresence at the support member of a hub without strip material woundthereon, (2) for detecting the absence of a hub at the support memberand (3) for detecting the presence at the support member of a hub with apredetermined length of strip material wound thereon. A control isoperatively associated with the sensing guide member and a strip feedingmechanism for preventing strip threading either in the absence of a hubat the support member or should a hub with a predetermined length ofstrip material wound thereon be received on the support member. Uponthreading of strip material onto a received hub, a trailing portion ofsuch material is tensioned; whereupon, a tension sensing mechanismactuates retraction of the guide members other than the sensing guidemember from the outermost convolution of strip material wound onto thereceived hub.

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ATTORNEYS V RICHARD J. WROBLEWSKI STRIP TAKE-UP THREADING DEVICEBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The presentinvention relates to the winding of strip material to form a convolutedroll and, more particularly, to take-up devices for threading suchmaterial onto a hub or a reel.

2. Description of the Prior Art In certain kinds of strip materialhandling apparatus, for example motion picture cameras and projectors,take-up reels are provided upon which successive portions of stripmaterial, for example motion picture film, are wound for storage afterhaving passed through a workstation, such as a film gate. With someapparatus of this kind, the operator must manually thread a free leadingend portion of the strip material onto the take up reel. More recently,there has been devised strip material handling apparatus with take-updevices for automatically threading strip material onto a take-up reel.

One such known take-up threading device, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.3,395,870, issued on Aug. 6, 1968, is provided with three guide memberswhich are annularly disposed in spaced relation for directing stripmaterial onto a rotatable take-up hub member. The guide members arepivotally supported for movement between respective threading positions,wherein the guide members are spring-urged to abut against the hubmember, and respective retracted positions, wherein the guide members aespaced from the hub member. The guide members in the threading positionsare so configured and arranged with respect to each other and the hubmember that a free leading end portion of strip material feeding betweenthe guide members and the hub member will be directed tangentiallytoward and against the hub member. Since the guide members in thethreading positions are disposed circumferentially about the hub member,successive portions of the feeding strip material will be looped aboutthe hub member upon rotation of such member in a winding direction.After several convolutions of strip material are wound about therotating hub member, the wound strip material will establish a hold onand become firmly anchored or snubbed to the rotating hub member.

As the number of convolutions of strip material wound onto the rotatinghub member increases, the guide members (now abutted against theoutermost strip convolution) are pivoted outwardly away from the hubmember until one of the guide members is disposed to open a switch.Opening of the switch effects deenergization of a solenoid (which is incircuit with the switch and is linked to the guide members other thanthe one guide member); whereupon, the other guide members are moved totheir retracted positions spaced from the outermost strip convolution.Conversely, if the one guide member should be moved from its retractedposition to its threading position while little or no strip material iswound onto the hub member, then the switch will close and the solenoidwill be energized; whereupon, the other guide members are moved to theirthreading positions.

It can now be appreciated, in view of the previous discussion, that thetake-up threading device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,395,870 operatesto determine the presence of several convolutions of strip materialwound onto the hub member and, in response thereto, automatically movestwo of the three guide members from their threading positions to theirretracted positions. Moreover, such device operates upon movement of theone guide member from its retracted position to its threading positionto detect the absence of strip ma terial on the hub member and, inresponse thereto, automatically moves the guide members other than theone guide member from their retracted positions to their threadingpositions.

While the take-up threading device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,395,870appears to represent an improvement over some other previously knowndevices of a similar nature, such device suffers from a disadvantage (asdo the other previously known devices) in that if the hub member shouldbe removed therefrom and the one guide member pivoted inwardly from itsretracted position toward the location usually occupied by the removedhub member, then the switch will close and the solenoid will beenergized. Upon energization of the solenoid, the guide members otherthan the one guidemember will be moved inwardly past the respectivepoints at which such members normally abut against the hub member. Insuch way, the guide members may be jammed into engagement with eachother, deformed and rendered ineffective for subsequent use.

Moreover, if the hub member should be removed from a take-up threadingdevice of the foregoing kind and a strip feeding mechanism of suchdevice should be actuated before, at the time of, or after movement ofthe guide members toward the location usually occupied by the removedhub member (or a removed takeup reel), then strip material fed by theactuated mechanism will be advanced to such location. Since the hubmember (or a take-up reel) was previously removed, the advanced stripmaterial will form a disorganized mass and may possibly become entangledwith the guide members.

Accordingly, it can be seen that a need exists for a take-up threadingdevice of the foregoing kind but which is improved to avoid theabove-described disadvantages of devices previously known.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the presentinvention to provide an improved take-up device for use with. stripmaterial.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a take-updevice which cannot be operated for strip threading unless a hub or areel without strip ma terial wound thereon is present in such device forreceiving strip material.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide atake-up device which cannot be operated for strip feeding unless a hubor a reel is present in such device for receiving strip material].

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a take-upthreading device including guide members or snubber members which cannotbe actuated for strip threading unless an empty reel is present in suchdevice for receiving strip material.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a take-upthreading device including a sensor (1) for detecting the presence of anempty reel at a location in such device for receiving strip material and(2) for detecting the absence of a reel at the strip receiving location.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a take-upthreading device including a control for effecting an inoperative modewhen an empty hub or an empty reel is not present in such device forreceiving strip material.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,there is disclosed hereinafter a takeup threading device adapted toreceive a hub on a rotatable support member of such device and to windstrip material onto a hub so received. This device is provided with aplurality of guide members mounted for movement to respective threadingpositions wherein the guide members are disposed in spaced relationabout a received hub for directing strip material onto the received hub.One of the guide members is movable to several sensing positions (1) fordetecting the presence at the support member of a hub without stripmaterial wound thereon, (2) for detecting the absence of a hub at thesupport member and (3) for detecting the presence at the support memberof a hub with a predetermined length of strip material wound thereon. Acontrol is operatively associated with the sensing guide member and astrip feeding mechanism for preventing strip threading either in theabsence of a hub at the support member or should a hub with apredetermined length of strip material wound thereon be received on thesupport member. More specifically, in either of the foregoing examples,the control prevents actuation of the feeding mechanism for advancingstrip material toward the support member and prevents movement of theguide members other than the sensing guide member to their respectivethreading positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above-mentioned and other featuresand objects of the present invention and the manner of obtaining themwill become more apparent by reference to the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiment of such invention taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1A is a plan view, partially in section, of a takeup threadingdevice according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention andshowing the configuration of three guide arms or members of such devicewhen a take-up reel (illustrated in phantom) is not supported forrotation on a drive spindle of such device;

FIG. 1B is a fragmentary plan view similar to FIG. 1A, showing theposition of one of the guide arms preparatory to the receipt of atake-up reel (illustrated in phantom) on the drive spindle;

FIG. 2A is a front elevational view of the take-up threading device asviewed along the line 2A-2A in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2B is a front elevational view of the take-up threading device asviewed along the line 2B-2B in FIG. 18;

FIG. 3 is a plan view similar toFIG. 1A, showing the configuration ofthe guide arms when an empty reel is received on the drive spindle;

FIG. 4 is a plan view similar to FIG. 3, showing the configuration ofthe guide arms while a free leading end portion of strip material iswinding about the hub member ofa received reel, and showing theconfiguration of the guide arms (two of which are illustrated inphantom) after the wound strip material is cinched or snubbed to the hubmember of the received reel;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view similar to FIG. 4,

showing a detail of the linkage interconnecting two of the guide armsfor synchronous movement toward and away from a received reel;

FIG. 6 is a plan view similar to FIG. 4, showing the configuration ofthe guide arms when strip material is fully wound onto a received reel;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an electrical circuit in the take-upthreading device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 2Aof the drawings, there is shown a take-up threading device generallyindicated by the reference numeral 1 and which, for the purpose ofillustrating several features of the present invention, is locatedwithin a portion or a section 2 of a lighttight housing. The remainderof the housing, other than the foregoing section 2, is not of interestwith respect to the details of the preferred embodiment described below,and for that reason a disclosure of the remainder of the housing hasbeen omitted. However, by way of background the housing is of the kindfor use with a camera (not shown) or other device adapted to receivelight sensitive strip material. As shown in FIG. 2A, the housing section2 is provided with a base 3, on which the take-up device 1 is mounted,and with an overhead door 4. Moreover, a hinge 5 pivotally connects thehousing door 4 to the housing section 2 so as to permit the housing doorto be opened for access to the take-up device 1.

Considering now in particular the details of the takeup device 1 asviewed in FIG. 2A, there is shown an upright bearing 6 which is mountedon the housing base 3 so as to rotatably support a vertically disposedshaft 7. A cam plate 8 and a first guide arm 9 of the take-up device 1are connected to the shaft 7 for synchronous rotation therewith. A lipmember 10, depending from an elongate extension 11 of the guide arm 9,is continually urged against the head 12 of a pin 13 by a helicaltension spring 14. The spring 14 interconnects the housing base 3 andthe guide arm 9 in the manner shown by FIG. 1A. The pin 13 is supportedfor sliding reciprocating movement by a bracket 15 which is mounted onthe housing base 3. Accordingly, as the housing door 4 is opened by anoperator (not shown), a plate-like extension 16 of the housing door willbe pivoted into abutment against a free end 17 of the pin 13. Furthermovement of the housing door 4 in an opening direction, generallyindicated by the arrow 0 in FIG. 2B, will induce the pin 13 to move froma retracted position, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A, to an extendedposition, as shown in FIGS. 1B and 2B. In such way, the cam plate 8 andthe guide arm 9 will be pivoted, against the urging of the spring 14,away from a take-up spindle assembly 18 of the takeup device 1. As canbest been seen in FIG. 18, when the pin 13 is fully extended (and thehousing door 4 is completely opened), the guide arm 9 will be disposedto provide sufficient clearance for a take-up reel R to be inserted onto(or removed from) a cylindrical portion 19 and a rectangular drivingportion 20 of the spindle assembly 18. Thereafter, as the housing door 4is closed, the pin 13 will be permitted to move from its extendedposition to its retracted position and the force of the spring 14exerted on the guide arm 9 will, in turn, pivot the cam plate 8 and theguide arm in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1B. When theextension 16 of the housing door 4 is pivoted out of the path ofmovementof the free pin end 17 by the closing movement of the housing door, thespring 14 will induce the pin 13 to move to its retracted position asshown in FIG. 2A. Simultaneous with the arrival of the pin 13 at itsretracted position, if a take-up reel R is not supported on the spindleassembly 18, the cam plate 8 and the guide arm 9will come to rest atrespective locations as shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A. In these locations, anidler roller 21, supported adjacent a curved edge portion 22 of theguide arm 9 by a pin connection 23, will abut against the rectangularportion of the spindle assembly 18. Alternatively, if a take-up reel Rwithout strip material wound thereon, i.e. an empty reel, should besupported on the spindle assembly 18, then, upon closing the housingdoor 4, the cam plate 8 and the guide arm 9 will come to rest atrespective locations as shown in FIG. 3. In these locations, the idlerroller 21 will abut against a hub member H of the empty reel R.

First and second normally closed, no go, switches 24 and of the take-updevice 1 are mounted on the housing base 3 so as to be located in spacedrelation along the path of movement of the cam plate 8, see FIGS. 1A and2A. These switches are of the kind re spectively provided withdepressible switch elements 26 and 27 which, when individuallydepressed, open a respective switch so as to effect a .no go mode atcertain stages in the operational cycle of the take-up device l. Themeaning of the term no go as it applies to the take-up device 1 willbecome apparent on considering a detailed description hereinafter of theelectrical circuit shown in FIG. 7.

As can be seen in FIGS, 18 and 2B, the cam plate 8 includes a cammingsurface or plate edge 28 which is disposed to depress the switch element27 (but which is spaced from the switch element 26) when the housingdoor 4 is opened. Conversely, when the housing door 4 is closed and theidler roller 21 on the first guide arm 9 is abutted againsttherectangular portion 20 of the take-up spindle assembly 18, as in theabovedescribed example shown by FIGS. 1A and 2A, the cam plate edge 28is disposed to depress the switch element 26 (but is spaced from theswitch element 27). Moreover, when the housing door 4 is closed and theidler roller 21 is abutted against the hub member H of an empty reel R,as in the above described example shown by FIG. 3, the cam plate edge 28is spaced from each of the switch elements 26 and 27. With respect tothe last-mentioned example, a relieved portion 29 of the cam plate edge28 serves to space the cam plate edge from the switch element 26.

With reference to the example shown in FIG. 6 it can be seen that ifareel R, on which a full complement of strip material S has been wound,should be supported on the spindle assembly 18, then, upon closing thehousing door 4, the cam plate 8 and the guide arm 9 will come to rest atrespective locations wherein the idler roller 21 is abutted against theoutermost strip convolution C. In these locations, the cam plate edge 28is disposed to depress the switch element 27 (but is spaced from theswitch element 26).

It can now be appreciated that the cam plate 8 will 1 be disposed toopen the first switch 24 (but not the sec ond switch 25) when the idlerroller 21 on the first guide arm 9 is abutted against the rectangularportion 20 of the take-up spindle assembly 18 (see FIG. 1A). Moreover,the cam plate 8 will be disposed to open the second switch 25 (but notthe first switch 24) when either the housing door 4 is opened (see FIG.1B) or a reel R, on which a full complement of strip material S has beenwound, is supported on the spindle assembly 18 and the idler roller 21is abutted against the outermost strip convolution C (see FIG. 6). It isto be further appreciated that the first and second switches 24 and 25will be closed when the housing door 4 is closed and an empty reel R issupported on the spindle assembly 18 (see FIG. 3). In the last-mentionedexample, the switches 24 and 25 will effect a go mode for the takeupdevice 1. The meaning of the term go as it applies to the take-up device1 will become apparent on considering a detailed description hereinafterof the electrical circuit shown in FIG. 7.

Considering now a typical sequence of operation for the take-up device 1in which it is. assumed that an operator (not shown) has placedan emptyreel R on the spindle assembly 18 and has closed the housing door 4 sothat, as viewed in FIG. 3, the first and second switches 24 and 25 areclosed and the idler roller 21 on the first guide arm 9 is abuttedagainst the reel hub H.

Upon manually closing a normally opened start switch 30 (see FIG. 7)which is preferably located on a control board (not shown), a drivemotor 31 in electrical circuit with the start switch (see FIGS. 2A and7) will be energized to rotate the spindle assembly 18 and the emptyreel R in a winding direction, generally indicated by the arrow 32, asshown in FIG. 3. Moreover, the drive motor 31, when energized, serves torotate a drive roller 33 and a pressure idler roller 34 of a stripfeeding or advancing assembly 35. These rollers 33 and 34 are rotated inopposite directions, generally indicated by the arrows 36 and 37, asshown in FIG. 3 and are supported above the housing base 3 by a suitablebracket (not shown). Accordingly, if strip material S is advanced off asupply reel (not shown) and into a guide track 38 which is likewisesupported above the housing base 3 at the same elevation as the stripfeeding assembly 35, the strip material will be directed between thedrive roller 33 and the pressure idler roller 34. In such way, the stripmaterial 8 will be advanced along the guide track 38in a downstreamdirection, generally in- I dicated by the arrow 39, as shown in FIG. 3.

Disposed across the guide track 38 at a location downstream from thestrip feeding assembly 35, there is shown in FIG. 3 a flexible fingermember 40 which is connected to a normally opened strip sensing switch41. This switch 41 is supported above the housing base 3, at the sameelevation as the guide track 38, by a bracket 42 which is mounted on thehousing base (see FIG. 2A). As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, when a freeleading end portion L of the strip material S is ad vanced against thefinger member 40 by the strip feed.- ing assembly 35, the finger memberwill pivot in a clockwise direction and depress a switch element 43 ofthe switch 41 so as to close the switch. Closing of the switch 41 in theforegoing manner, serves to energize a solenoid 44 which, in turn,serves to retract a plunger member 45 of the solenoid; whereupon, asecond guide arm 46 and a third guide arm 47 of the take-up device 1will be moved from respective retracted positions, as shown in FIG. 3,to respective threading positions, as shown in FIG. 4, by a linkageassembly 48 interconnecting the plunger member 45 :and the second andthird guide arms.

Briefly considering the linkage assembly 48, there is shown in FIG. 3first and second rotatable shaft members 49 and 50 which extend inparallel spaced relation along axes of rotation respectivelyperpendicular to the housing base 3. The first shaft member 49 isrotatably supported above the housing base 3 by a bearingbracket member51 which is mounted on and extends from the housing base in the mannershown by FIG. 2A. The second shaft 49 is rotatably supported at thehousing base 3 by a suitable bearing member (not shown) which is mountedon the housing base. The second guide arm 46 and a first link member 52are supported in spaced relation on the first shaft member 49 forsynchronous rotation therewith. The third guide arm 47 and a second linkmember 53 are supported in spaced relation on the second shaft member 50for synchronous rotation therewith. A third link member 54 interconnectsthe first and second link members 52 and 53 respectively at pivot studs55 and 56. The foregoing members of the linkage assembly 48 and thesecond and third guide arms 46 and 47 are biased to a configuration, asviewed in FIG. 3, when the solenoid 44 is deenergized. Thisconfiguration is effected by an overcenter helical tension spring 57,interconnecting the housing base 3 and the pivot stud 55, and'a helicalcompression spring 82, interconnecting the second link member 53 and thehousing base. A stop pin 58 is mounted on the housing base 3 to abutagainst the second link member 53, and thereby, position the second linkmember, as viewed in FIG. 3, when the second and third guide arms 46 and47 are disposed in their respective retracted positions. A helicaltension spring 59 interconnects the plunger member 45 of the solenoid 44and third guide arm 47. Accordingly, upon energization of the solenoid44 in the above-described manner, the linkage assembly 48 and the secondand third guide arms 46 and 47 are moved from the configuration shown inFIG. 3 to the configuration shown in FIG. 4. Conversely, upondeenergization of the solenoid 44 in a manner to be describedhereinafter, the linkage assembly 48 and the second and third guide arms46 and 47 are moved from the configuration shown in FIG. 4 to theconfiguration shown in FIG. 3.

Referring again to the operational sequence of the take-up device 1, itcan be seen in FIG. 4 that when the first, second and third guide arms9, 46 and 47 are disposed in their respective threading positions, theidler roller 21 (on the first guide arm), an idler roller 61 (which issupported on the second guide arm by a pin connection 62) and an idlerroller 63 (which is supported on the third guide arm by a pin connection64) will be equally spaced about the reel hub H in abutting relationtherewith. Moreover, the curved edge portion 22 of the first guide arm9, a curved edge portion 65 of the second guide arm 46 and a curved edgeportion 66 of the third guide arm 47 will cooperate to define asubstantially closed chamber about the reel hub H. It can now beappreciated that if the strip material S should first be advanced by thestrip feeding assembly 35 between spaced idler rollers 67 and 68 (whichare respectively supported on the first guide arm 9 by the shaft 7 and apin connection 69) and thereafter advanced between the first guide armand a guide finger 70 (which is supported on the first guide arm infixed, spaced, parallel relation therewith by the shaft 7), then, thestrip material will be directed tangentially toward and against the reelhub H in the manner shown by FIG. 4. Since the reel R is rotating withthe take-up spindle assembly 18 in the winding direction, generallyindicated by the arrow 32, successive portions of the strip material Swill be looped about the reel hub H to form a strip convolution. Afterseveral convolutions of the strip material S are wound about the reelhub H, the wound strip material will establish a hold on and becomefirmly anchored or snubbed to the reel hub.

As can best be seen in FIG. 5, the third link member 54 of the linkageassembly 48 is provided with a clearance slot 60 in which the pivot stud56 is movably seated. When the second and third guide arms 46 and 47 andthe linkage assembly 48 are disposed in the configuration shown in FIGS.4 and 5, the clearance slot 60 serves to permit a slight movement of thelinkage assembly relative to the reel R on the take-up spindle assembly18, so that the springs 57 and 82 can urge the idler roller 61 (on thesecond guide arm 46) and the idler roller 63 (on the third guide arm 47)firmly against the reel hub H.

A strip tension sensing assembly 71 of the take-up device 1, as shown inFIG. 4, is disposed adjacent an arcuate portion 72 of the guide track38. This assembly 71 is provided with a pair of spaced idler rollers 73and 74 which are respectively supported adjacent the opposite ends of anopening 75 in the guide track 38 by pin connections 76 and 77 (attachedto the guide track). The idler rollers 73 and 74 are located alongsidethe guide track opening 75 so as to be slightly spaced from the stripmaterial S moving in the guide track 38. An idler roller 78 is supportedby a pin connection 79 on a depressible switch element 80 of a normallyopened strip tension sensing switch 81. This switch 81 is mounted abovethe housing base 3, at the same elevation as the guide track 38, by asuitable bracket (not shown) so that the idler roller 78 is slightlyspaced from the strip material S. moving through the-arcuate portion 72of the guide track (see FIG. 4). Accordingly, upon snubbing of the stripmaterial S to the hub member H of the take-up reel R in theabove-described manner, the portion of the strip material, extending inthe guide track 38 between the reel hub H and the strip feeding assembly35, will be abruptly tensioned. Whereupon, as shown in FIG. 4, a stripsection S will move out of the guide track opening 74 in response tosuch tensioning and will come to rest against the idler rollers 73 and74. In such way, the idler roller 78 will be moved to a retractedposition (as shown by the idler roller 78 in FIG. 4) and the switch 81will be closed.

Moreover, as will become apparent on considering a detailed descriptionhereinafter of the electrical circuit shown in FIG. 7, upon closing thestrip tension sensing switch 81, the solenoid 44 will be deenergized soas to move the plunger member 45 thereof to a normally extended position(as viewed in FIG. 6). Accordingly, the second and third guide arms 46and 47 will be moved from their respective threading positions to theirrcspective retracted positions (as shown by the second and third guidearms 46 and 47' in FIG. 4) and, simultaneously therewith, the linkageassembly 48 will be moved from the configuration shown in FIG. 4 to theconfiguration shown in FIG. 6.

After the second and third guide arms 46 and 47 are moved from theirrespective threading positions shown in FIG. 4 their respectiveretracted to their respective retracted positions shown in FIG. 5 and assuccessive convolutions of the strip material S are wound onto the hubmember H of the take-up reel R, the idler roller 21 on the first guidearm 9 will continue to ride on the outermost strip convolution so thatthe first guide arm will be incrementally pivoted outwardly as eachsuccessive strip convolution is formed. As viewed in FIG. 2A, a gear andclutch mechanism 83 (the details of which are generally known) islocated between the take-up spindle assembly 18 and the drive roller 31.This mechanism 83 is adapted to slip at a predetermined torque so thatthe tension in the strip material S, extending between the take-up reelR and a supply reel (not shown), permits the take-up reel to be rotatedby the drive motor 34 only as fast as dictated by the correspondingdrive motor (not shown) which effects the unwinding rotation of thesupply reel.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 6, it can be seen that when a trailing endportion T of the strip material S is advanced in the downstreamdirection, generally indicated by the arrow 39, past the strip feedingassembly 35, the strip material will no longer be tensioned be tween thereel hub H and the strip feeding assembly. whereupon, the idler roller78 will move from the retracted position (as shown by the idler roller78 in FIG. 4) to a normally extended position (as shown by the idlerroller 78 in FIG. 4) and, simultaneously therewith, the strip tensionsensing switch 81 will open. At

this time, as will become apparent on considering a detailed descriptionhereinafter of the electrical circuit shown in FIG. 7, the solenoid 44remains deenergized. Moreover, when a full complement of the stripmaterial S has been wound onto the take-up reel R, as shown in FIG. 6,and the switch element 27 has been depressed by the cam plate edge 28 soas to open the second no go switch 25, the drive motor 31 will not bedeenergized.

When the trailing end portion T of the strip material S is drawn pastthe finger member 40 of the strip sensing switch 41 by the windingrotation of the reel hub H,

as shown in FIG. 6, the strip sensing switch will open and the drivemotor 31 will be deenergized in accordance with the electrical circuitshown in-FIG. 7. Upon deenergization of the drive motor 31, the take-upreel R will come to rest. Thereafter, the operator (not shown) may openthe housing door 4 and remove the take-up reel R and the strip materialS. However, should the operator forget to remove the take-up reel R onwhich is wound a full complement of the strip material S and, believingan empty reel R is supported on the spindle assembly 18, manuallydepress the start switch 30, then, as will become apparent onconsidering the electrical circuit shown in FIG. 7, the take-up device 1will be prevented from effecting a go mode for beginning the operationalsequence just described.

Considering now the electrical circuit of the take-up devicel, there isshown in FIG. 7 a first relay 84 and a second relay 85. The first relay84 is provided with normally opened switch contacts 84-1 and 84-2 andwith normally closed switch contacts 84-3 and 84-4. The second relay 85is provided with normally opened switch contacts 85-1, 85-2 and 85-3.Moreover, there is shown in FIG. 7 the normally opened start switch 30,the normally closed first and second no go switches 24 and 25, thenormally opened strip sensing switch 41,

the normally opened strip tension sensing switch 81, the solenoid 44 andthe drive motor 34. To facilitate an understanding of the electricalcircuit as it'applies to a typical sequence of operation for the take-updevice 1, there is provided below a truth table which shows the mode ofthe electrical circuit at each operational step.

10 The truth table" should be read beginning with the step 0".

one column at a time,

TR UTH TAB I .F.

Sequential steps Housingdoor4 First switch 24 Second switch 25 Startswitch 30 First relay 84 Switch contucl 84-l Switch contact 34-2 Switchcontact 84-3 Switch contact 84-4 Second relay 85 Switch Contact 8.5-!Switch contact 85-2 Switch contact 85-3 Solenoid 44 Strip sensing switch41 Strip tension sensing switch 81 Motor 3! etc CLO

Legend:

Capitalized letter indicates the ticular sequential step.

0 indicates open".

0 indicates closed.

de indicates deenergized".

e indicates energized.

* indicates dont care.

In the foregoing truth table steps 2-8 characterize the above-describedexample wherein the operator has placed an empty reel R on the take-upspindle assembly 18 and has closed the housing door 4 (see FIG. 3),steps 2' and 3 characterize the above-described example wherein theoperator has closed the housing door without first placing a reel on thetake-up spindle assembly (see FIG. 1A), and steps 2" and 3" characterizethe above-described example wherein a reel with a full complement ofstrip material S is supported on the take-up spindle assembly and theoperator has-closed the housing door (FIG. 6).

It willnow be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art thatthe take-up device 1 can be operated (l) to detect the presence of anempty reel R at the spindle assembly 18,. (2) to detect the absence ofareel at the spindle assembly and (3) to detect the presence of a reelwith a full complement of strip material S at item initiating a parthespindle assembly. Mor'eover, tlhe take-up device 1 is prevented fromeffecting a go or operative mode to begin strip feeding and stripthreading unless an empty reel R is supported on the spindle assembly18. That is to say, a no go" or inoperative mode will be effected if thetake-up device 1 should detect either the absence of a reel R at thespindle assembly 18 or the presence of a reel with a full complement ofstrip material S at the spindle assembly.

Although the take-up device 1 has been considered hereinbefore for usewith light sensitive strip material,

it will of course be appreciated that such device can be cei've such areel on a rotatable support member of such device and to wind stripmaterial onto a reel so received, the combination comprising:

sensor means (1) for detecting the presence at the support member of areel without strip material wound thereon and (2) for detecting theabsence of a reel at the support member; said sensing means including adetecting member and means mounting said detecting member (1) formovement into abutting relation with the hub member of a reel withoutstrip material wound thereon to detect the presence of that reel at thesupport member of the take-up device and (2) for movement alongside thesupport member to detect the absence of a reel at the support member;and

control means (i) for effecting a first mode in response to said sensormeans detecting the presence at the support member ofa reel withoutstrip material wound thereon and (2) for effecting a second mode inresponse to said sensor means detecting the absence of a reel at thesupport member;

said control means including means for preventing operation of thetake-up device upon the effecting of said second mode and for permittingoperation of the take-up device upon the effecting of said first mode.

2. The combination as recited in claim 1, wherein the take-up device isprovided with a guide path between a reel received on the support memberand a location' spaced therefrom and with a first drive mechanismactuatable for feeding strip material along the guide path toward a reelso received, and wherein said control means further includes:

means for actuating the first drive mechanism upon said control meanseffecting said first mode.

3. The combination as recited in claim 2, wherein the take-up device isprovided with a second drive mechanism actuatable for rotating thesupport member and a reel received thereon in a winding direction, andwherein said control means further includes:

means for actuating the second drive mechanism upon said control meanseffecting said first mode.

4. in a take-up device which is adapted for use with v a reel of thekindhaving a hub member about which strip material can be wound in aconvoluted roll and which is adapted to receive such a reel on arotatable support member of such device and to wind strip material ontoa reel so received, the combination comprissensor means (1) fordetecting the presence at the support member of a reel without stripmaterial wound thereon, (2) for detecting the absence of a reel at thesupport member and (3) for detecting the presence at the support memberof a reel with a length of strip material wound thereon; said sensormeans including a detecting member and means mounting said detectingmember (1) for movement into abutting relation with the hub member of areel without strip material wound thereon to detect the presence of thatreel at the support member of the take-up device, (2) for movementalong-side the support member to detect the absence of a reel at thesupport member, and (3) for movement into abutting relation with theoutermost convolution of a length of strip material wound onto a reel todetect the presence of that reel at the support member; and

control means (1) for effecting a first mode in response to said sensormeans detecting the presence at the support member of a reel withoutstrip material wound thereon, (2) for effecting a s econd mode inresponse to said sensor means detecting the absence of a reel at thesupport member-and (3) for effecting said second mode in response tosaid sensor means detecting the presence at the support member of a reelwith a length of strip material wound thereon;

said control means including means for preventing operation of thetake-up device upon the effecting of said second mode and for permittingoperation of the take-up device upon the effecting of said first mode.

5. The combination as recited in claim 4, wherein said control meansfurther includes:

means for preventing said control means from effecting said second modein response to said control means effecting said first mode.

6. In a take-up device which is adapted to receive a hub on a rotatablesupport member of such device and to thread strip material onto a hub soreceived, the take-up device being provided with a drive mechanism forrotating the support member and a hub received thereon in a windingdirection and with a plurality of guide members which are disposed inspaced relation about the support member, the guide members beingmounted on the take-up device for movement between threading positionswherein the guide members are oriented to direct strip material onto areceived hub and retracted positions wherein the guide members arespaced from the outermost convolution of strip material wound on suchhub, the combination comprising: sensor means (1) for detecting thepresence at the support member of a hub without strip material woundthereon and (2) for detecting the absence of a hub at the supportmember; said sensor means including one of the guide members and meansmounting the one guide member (1) for movement into abutting relationwith a hub without strip material wound thereon to detect the presenceof that hub at the support member and (2) for movement alongsidethesupport member to detect the absence ofa hub at the support member;and g control means (1) for effecting a first mode in response to saidsensor means detecting-the presence at the support member of a hubwithout strip material wound thereon and (2) for effecting a second modein response to said sensor means detecting the absence of a hub at thesupport member; said control means including means for preventingoperation of the take-up device upon the effecting of said second modeand for permitting operation of the take-up device upon the effecting ofsaid first mode.

7. The combination as recited in claim 6, wherein 60 said control meansfurther includes:

electrical circuit means, including a normally closed switch, foreffecting said first mode when said switch is closed and for effectingsaid second mode when said switch is opened, and wherein said sensormeans further includes:

a cam member; and means for connecting the one guide member of thetake-up device and said cam member in a manner such that said cam memberopens said switch upon movement of the one guide member, alongside thesupport member of the take-up device, to detect the absence of a hub atthe support member.

8. The combination as recited in claim 6, wherein said control meansfurther includes:

means for moving the guide members of the take-up device other than theone guide member from the retracted positions to the threading positionsin subsequent relation to said control means effecting said first mode.

9. The combination as recited in claim 6, wherein the take-up device isprovided with a guide path between a hub received on the support memberand a location spaced therefrom and with a strip feed assemblyactuatable for advancing strip material along the guide path toward ahub so received, and wherein said control means further includes:

means for actuating the strip feed assembly upon said control meanseffecting said first mode.

10. The combination as recited in claim 9, wherein said controlmeansfurther includes:

means for moving the guide members of the take-up device other than theone guide member from the retracted positions to the threadingpositions; and

means for detecting the presence of strip material advancing along theguide path of the take-up device and, in response thereto, for actuatingsaid moving means.

. 1l. The combination as recited in claim 6, further comprising:

a guide finger;

means for mounting the one guide member of the take-up device and saidguide finger in substantially parallel, fixed, spaced relation to enablethe passage of strip material between the one guide member and saidguide finger; and

means for resiliently urging the one guide member toward the supportmember of the take-up device.

12. The combination as recited in claim 6, wherein the take-up device isprovided with a housing and with a door mounted thereon which can beopened to permit access to such device, and wherein the combinationfurther comprises:

means for coupling the one guide member of the take-up device and thedoor in a manner such that the one guide member is moved away from thesupport member of the take-up device upon opening the door;

means for resiliently urging the one guide member toward the supportmember; and

means for releasing the one guide member from the door, upon closing thedoor, to enable the one guide member to be moved by said urging meanstoward the support member.

13. For use with a reel of the kind provided with a hub member aboutwhich strip material can be wound in a convoluted roll, apparatus forwinding strip material onto such a reel, said apparatus comprising:

means, including a spindle, for removably supporting such a reel forrotation;

means actuatable for rotating said supporting means and a reel supportedthereby in a winding direction;

means for defining a guide path between a supported reel and a locationspaced therefrom;

means actuatable for feeding strip material along said guide path towarda supported reel; sensor means (1) for detecting the presence at saidspindle of a supported reel without strip material wound thereon and (2)for detecting the absence of a reel at said spindle; said sensor meansincluding a detecting member and means mounting said detecting member(1) for movement into abutting relation with the hub member of asupported reel without strip material wound thereon to detect thepresence of that reel at said spindle and (2) for movement into abuttingrelation with said spindle to detect the absence of a reel at saidspindle; and control means (1) for actuating said rotating means andsaid feeding means in response to said sensor means detecting thepresence at said spindle of a supported reel without strip materialwound thereon and (2) for preventing actuation of said rotating meansand said feeding means in response to said sensor means detecting theabsence of a reel at said spindle. 14. In a take-up device which isadapted to receive a hub on a rotatable spindle member of such deviceand to thread strip material onto a hub so received, the take-up devicebeing provided with a drive mechanism for rotating the spindle memberand a hub received thereon in a winding direction and with a pluralityof guide members which are disposed in spaced relation about the spindlemember, the guide members being mounted on the take-up device formovement between threading positions wherein the guide members areoriented to direct strip material onto a received hub and retractedpositions wherein the guide members are spaced from the outermostconvolution of strip material wound on such hub, the combinationcomprising: sensor means (1) for detecting the presence at the spindlemember of a hub without strip material wound thereon, (2) for detectingthe absence of a hub at the spindle member and (3) for detecting thepresence at the spindle member of a hub with a predetermined length ofstrip material wound thereon; said sensor means including one of theguide members and means mounting the one guide member (1) for movementinto abutting relation with a hubwithout strip material wound thereonfor detecting the presence of that hub at the spindle member, (2) formovement into abutting relation with the spindle member for detectingthe absence of a hub at the spindle member and (3) for movement intoabutting relation with the outermost convolution of a predeterminedlength of strip material wound onto a hub for detecting the presence ofthat hub at the spindle member; and control means (1) for effecting afirst mode in response to said sensor means detecting the presence atthe spindle member of a hub without strip material wound thereon, (2)for effecting a second mode in response to said sensor means detectingthe absence of a hub at the spindle member and (3) for effecting saidsecond mode in response to said sensor means detecting the presence atthe spindle member of a hub with a predetermined length of stripmaterial wound thereon; said control means including means forpreventing operation of the take-up device upon the effecting of saidsecond mode and for permitting operation of the take-up device upon theeffecting of said first mode;

said control means further including means for moving the guide membersother than the one guide member from the retracted positions to thethreading positions in subsequent relation to said control meanseffecting said first mode.

15. The combination as recited in claim 14, wherein said control meansfurther includes:

electrical circuit means, including a normally closed first switch and anormally closed second switch, for effecting said first mode when saidfirst and second switches are closed and for effecting said second modewhen either of said first and second switches is opened, and whereinsaid sensor means strip material wound onto a hub received on thespindle member.

1. In a take-up device which is adapted for use with a reel of the kindhaving a hub member about which strip material can be wound and which isadapted to receive such a reel on a rotatable support member of suchdevice and to wind strip material onto a reel so received, thecombination comprising: sensor means (1) for detectIng the presence atthe support member of a reel without strip material wound thereon and(2) for detecting the absence of a reel at the support member; saidsensing means including a detecting member and means mounting saiddetecting member (1) for movement into abutting relation with the hubmember of a reel without strip material wound thereon to detect thepresence of that reel at the support member of the take-up device and(2) for movement alongside the support member to detect the absence of areel at the support member; and control means (1) for effecting a firstmode in response to said sensor means detecting the presence at thesupport member of a reel without strip material wound thereon and (2)for effecting a second mode in response to said sensor means detectingthe absence of a reel at the support member; said control meansincluding means for preventing operation of the take-up device upon theeffecting of said second mode and for permitting operation of thetake-up device upon the effecting of said first mode.
 2. The combinationas recited in claim 1, wherein the take-up device is provided with aguide path between a reel received on the support member and a locationspaced therefrom and with a first drive mechanism actuatable for feedingstrip material along the guide path toward a reel so received, andwherein said control means further includes: means for actuating thefirst drive mechanism upon said control means effecting said first mode.3. The combination as recited in claim 2, wherein the take-up device isprovided with a second drive mechanism actuatable for rotating thesupport member and a reel received thereon in a winding direction, andwherein said control means further includes: means for actuating thesecond drive mechanism upon said control means effecting said firstmode.
 4. In a take-up device which is adapted for use with a reel of thekind having a hub member about which strip material can be wound in aconvoluted roll and which is adapted to receive such a reel on arotatable support member of such device and to wind strip material ontoa reel so received, the combination comprising: sensor means (1) fordetecting the presence at the support member of a reel without stripmaterial wound thereon, (2) for detecting the absence of a reel at thesupport member and (3) for detecting the presence at the support memberof a reel with a length of strip material wound thereon; said sensormeans including a detecting member and means mounting said detectingmember (1) for movement into abutting relation with the hub member of areel without strip material wound thereon to detect the presence of thatreel at the support member of the take-up device, (2) for movementalong-side the support member to detect the absence of a reel at thesupport member, and (3) for movement into abutting relation with theoutermost convolution of a length of strip material wound onto a reel todetect the presence of that reel at the support member; and controlmeans (1) for effecting a first mode in response to said sensor meansdetecting the presence at the support member of a reel without stripmaterial wound thereon, (2) for effecting a second mode in response tosaid sensor means detecting the absence of a reel at the support memberand (3) for effecting said second mode in response to said sensor meansdetecting the presence at the support member of a reel with a length ofstrip material wound thereon; said control means including means forpreventing operation of the take-up device upon the effecting of saidsecond mode and for permitting operation of the take-up device upon theeffecting of said first mode.
 5. The combination as recited in claim 4,wherein said control means further includes: means for preventing saidcontrol means from effecting said second mode in response to saidcontrol means effecting said first mode.
 6. In a take-up device which isadapted to receive a hub on a rotatable support member of such deviceand to thread strip material onto a hub so received, the take-up devicebeing provided with a drive mechanism for rotating the support memberand a hub received thereon in a winding direction and with a pluralityof guide members which are disposed in spaced relation about the supportmember, the guide members being mounted on the take-up device formovement between threading positions wherein the guide members areoriented to direct strip material onto a received hub and retractedpositions wherein the guide members are spaced from the outermostconvolution of strip material wound on such hub, the combinationcomprising: sensor means (1) for detecting the presence at the supportmember of a hub without strip material wound thereon and (2) fordetecting the absence of a hub at the support member; said sensor meansincluding one of the guide members and means mounting the one guidemember (1) for movement into abutting relation with a hub without stripmaterial wound thereon to detect the presence of that hub at the supportmember and (2) for movement alongside the support member to detect theabsence of a hub at the support member; and control means (1) foreffecting a first mode in response to said sensor means detecting thepresence at the support member of a hub without strip material woundthereon and (2) for effecting a second mode in response to said sensormeans detecting the absence of a hub at the support member; said controlmeans including means for preventing operation of the take-up deviceupon the effecting of said second mode and for permitting operation ofthe take-up device upon the effecting of said first mode.
 7. Thecombination as recited in claim 6, wherein said control means furtherincludes: electrical circuit means, including a normally closed switch,for effecting said first mode when said switch is closed and foreffecting said second mode when said switch is opened, and wherein saidsensor means further includes: a cam member; and means for connectingthe one guide member of the take-up device and said cam member in amanner such that said cam member opens said switch upon movement of theone guide member, alongside the support member of the take-up device, todetect the absence of a hub at the support member.
 8. The combination asrecited in claim 6, wherein said control means further includes: meansfor moving the guide members of the take-up device other than the oneguide member from the retracted positions to the threading positions insubsequent relation to said control means effecting said first mode. 9.The combination as recited in claim 6, wherein the take-up device isprovided with a guide path between a hub received on the support memberand a location spaced therefrom and with a strip feed assemblyactuatable for advancing strip material along the guide path toward ahub so received, and wherein said control means further includes: meansfor actuating the strip feed assembly upon said control means effectingsaid first mode.
 10. The combination as recited in claim 9, wherein saidcontrol means further includes: means for moving the guide members ofthe take-up device other than the one guide member from the retractedpositions to the threading positions; and means for detecting thepresence of strip material advancing along the guide path of the take-updevice and, in response thereto, for actuating said moving means. 11.The combination as recited in claim 6, further comprising: a guidefinger; means for mounting the one guide member of the take-up deviceand said guide finger in substantially parallel, fixed, spaced relationto enable the passage of strip material between the one guide member andsaid guide finger; and means for resiliently urging the one guide membertoward the support member of the take-up device.
 12. The combination asrecited in claim 6, wherEin the take-up device is provided with ahousing and with a door mounted thereon which can be opened to permitaccess to such device, and wherein the combination further comprises:means for coupling the one guide member of the take-up device and thedoor in a manner such that the one guide member is moved away from thesupport member of the take-up device upon opening the door; means forresiliently urging the one guide member toward the support member; andmeans for releasing the one guide member from the door, upon closing thedoor, to enable the one guide member to be moved by said urging meanstoward the support member.
 13. For use with a reel of the kind providedwith a hub member about which strip material can be wound in aconvoluted roll, apparatus for winding strip material onto such a reel,said apparatus comprising: means, including a spindle, for removablysupporting such a reel for rotation; means actuatable for rotating saidsupporting means and a reel supported thereby in a winding direction;means for defining a guide path between a supported reel and a locationspaced therefrom; means actuatable for feeding strip material along saidguide path toward a supported reel; sensor means (1) for detecting thepresence at said spindle of a supported reel without strip materialwound thereon and (2) for detecting the absence of a reel at saidspindle; said sensor means including a detecting member and meansmounting said detecting member (1) for movement into abutting relationwith the hub member of a supported reel without strip material woundthereon to detect the presence of that reel at said spindle and (2) formovement into abutting relation with said spindle to detect the absenceof a reel at said spindle; and control means (1) for actuating saidrotating means and said feeding means in response to said sensor meansdetecting the presence at said spindle of a supported reel without stripmaterial wound thereon and (2) for preventing actuation of said rotatingmeans and said feeding means in response to said sensor means detectingthe absence of a reel at said spindle.
 14. In a take-up device which isadapted to receive a hub on a rotatable spindle member of such deviceand to thread strip material onto a hub so received, the take-up devicebeing provided with a drive mechanism for rotating the spindle memberand a hub received thereon in a winding direction and with a pluralityof guide members which are disposed in spaced relation about the spindlemember, the guide members being mounted on the take-up device formovement between threading positions wherein the guide members areoriented to direct strip material onto a received hub and retractedpositions wherein the guide members are spaced from the outermostconvolution of strip material wound on such hub, the combinationcomprising: sensor means (1) for detecting the presence at the spindlemember of a hub without strip material wound thereon, (2) for detectingthe absence of a hub at the spindle member and (3) for detecting thepresence at the spindle member of a hub with a predetermined length ofstrip material wound thereon; said sensor means including one of theguide members and means mounting the one guide member (1) for movementinto abutting relation with a hub without strip material wound thereonfor detecting the presence of that hub at the spindle member, (2) formovement into abutting relation with the spindle member for detectingthe absence of a hub at the spindle member and (3) for movement intoabutting relation with the outermost convolution of a predeterminedlength of strip material wound onto a hub for detecting the presence ofthat hub at the spindle member; and control means (1) for effecting afirst mode in response to said sensor means detecting the presence atthe spindle member of a hub without strip material wound thereon, (2)for efFecting a second mode in response to said sensor means detectingthe absence of a hub at the spindle member and (3) for effecting saidsecond mode in response to said sensor means detecting the presence atthe spindle member of a hub with a predetermined length of stripmaterial wound thereon; said control means including means forpreventing operation of the take-up device upon the effecting of saidsecond mode and for permitting operation of the take-up device upon theeffecting of said first mode; said control means further including meansfor moving the guide members other than the one guide member from theretracted positions to the threading positions in subsequent relation tosaid control means effecting said first mode.
 15. The combination asrecited in claim 14, wherein said control means further includes:electrical circuit means, including a normally closed first switch and anormally closed second switch, for effecting said first mode when saidfirst and second switches are closed and for effecting said second modewhen either of said first and second switches is opened, and whereinsaid sensor means further includes: a cam member; and means forconnecting the one guide member of the take-up device and said first cammember in a manner such that (1) said cam member opens said first swtichupon movement of the one guide member into abutting relation with thespindle member of the take-up device and (2) said cam member opens saidsecond switch upon movement of the one guide member into abuttingrelation with the outermost convolution of a predetermined length ofstrip material wound onto a hub received on the spindle member.